Go Further with Ford - Day Two

The second day at Go Further with Ford started with a big breakfast and a warm welcome from two phenomenal women: Sheryl Connelly, Manager of Global Trends and Futuring, and Marisa Bradley, Consumer Media Communications Manager. We all tweeted about their fabulous shoes, naturally. 

The day's agenda was packed: trend sessions revolving around four topic areas- Streamline and Simplify, Accessible Design, Eco-Psychology and Urbanization. Each session included panel discussions with pertinent guest speakers and Ford experts, as well as breakout sessions with hands-on demos.

The first stop on my list was Streamline and Simplify, where we learned more about the constancy of technology and how companies work together to improve the "conversation" you have with your vehicle. This conversation is often literal, with many apps using voice recognition and the cloud to keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel but it can extend to biometric data being collected while you drive to enhance safety. 

(l-r): John Hendricks, Director of User Experiences for the Windows Embedded Division at Microsoft, Gary Clayton, Chief Creative Officer at Nuance, and Parrish Hanna, Ford's Global Director of Human Machine Interface.

This black monolith is called a Technical Discovery Kit (TDK) and it is like a car in a box that developers can use to test functionality without bringing a huge car into the lab. There were several of them set up to give us an idea of how they work. We saw how SYNC can use Google translators to allow you to have an almost real-time interaction in a foreign language and how I could pull up the New Pornographers on Pandora just by asking. So cool!

The second session was Age of Accessible Design. I enjoyed hearing the panelists talk about the need to bring good design to the masses at an affordable price. Predictably, they all had snazzy shoes.

(l-r): Ari Goldberg, CEO of StyleCaster, Gretchen Gscheidle, Director of the Insight and Exploration Group at Herman Miller, design wunderkind Christian Siriano, artist/architect Adam Kalkin and J Mays, Ford Group President of Design and Chief Creative Officer.

I wanted to geek out on Christian Siriano but we were whisked off to a special secret (no photos allowed!) design studio to see how they sculpt new models out of clay in life size. Pretty impressive stuff, especially when you consider how far in advance they are designing. It's almost like living in the  future…

My third session was Eco-Psychology, which I was really excited about. The public perception of environmentalism and how you can shift towards a greener thought process is something I truly believe in. The speakers had a lot to say about the importance of companies of Ford's magnitude taking an environmentalist stance because it changes mass opinion, especially over time. Baby steps to green is a powerful motivator.

(l-r): Cher Fischer, Peter Glatzer and Adrian Grenier of SHFT.com, John Viera, Ford's Global Director of Sustainability and Vehicle Environmental Matters, Liz Heller, Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives at TOMS, and Tim Sexton of E2.

The breakouts for this session were really interesting. We got to see samples of naturally-derived plastics in development. We also got to visit the wind tunnel for a demonstration of aerodynamics and how it affects fuel efficiency.

Steve Parks, Senior Aerodynamics Engineer with Vehicle Energy Management Engineering for Ford and Lincoln, demonstrates aerodynamics with smoke in the wind tunnel.

I also got this blurry photo of me with Adrian Grenier, who has really remarkable hair. He's also pretty passionate about the environment and filmmaking, which only serves to make him cuter. 

The final session for the day was Urbanization. I'll admit that I didn't think it would be very pertinent to me since Wichita is hardly a bustling metropolis. Carol Coletta is a dynamic speaker, though, and had plenty to say about why communities need to court creative innovators. Amen! She was funny and smart and had a fantastic dress and shoes, too.

I was also really impressed to discover that Ford has a Manager of Social Sustainability, David Berdish (shown between Ford's Kristin Schondorf and Carol Coletta below), who is charged with ensuring their brand promise is the same for employees worldwide. Berdish was lead designer of the Ford Human Rights Code of Working Conditions, which was adopted in 2003 and continues to evolve under his supervision. These guidelines articulate Ford’s commitment to social sustainability and human rights throughout its global operations and $90 billion supply chain. Color me impressed.

See more about Go Further with Ford: Day One, Day Two (TechShop Detroit) and Day Three.

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that Ford paid for my travel and lodging.. No other compensation was provided. All opinions are, as usual, entirely my own.

Go Further with Ford - Day One

Last month, I was in Michigan for Ford's annual trend conference. This year's was called Go Further with Ford, echoing their global brand promise, and it was inspiring, as usual. Not just from a gearhead persective, though. While it's true that attendees learn about Ford vehicles and the technology that goes into them, the event is less of a sales pitch than a peek into the think tank in Dearborn. Ford wants to be more than just another American automaker– they'd rather be known as a global innovation factory based in the US.

The opening cocktail reception and dinner was held at Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions. We were treated to impeccable service, a tour of the stadium (including the swanky locker rooms and a chance to kick a field goal!), a moving keynote discussion by Bill Ford and David Kirkpatrick and a huge dessert buffet featuring the most adorable teeny tiny bottles of milk, as modeled below by the always dapper Scott Monty.

Back at the hotel, there was a hospitality suite with a DJ, arcade games and booze so you could mingle with new friends and old. I especially enjoyed watching the editors of PC Mag and Gadget Review face off in buck shooting:

See more about Go Further with Ford: Day Two, Day Two (TechShop Detroit) and Day Three.

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that Ford paid for my travel and lodging.. No other compensation was provided. All opinions are, as usual, entirely my own.

Live A Little - Sometimes You Have to Splurge

I'm a bargain hunter. While I would never classify myself as frugal, necessarily, I always scour the sale racks first and look for the best deals. That being said, I appreciate quality and craft so when I say "bargain" I don't always mean "cheap." And sometimes you've got to suck it up and fork over the big bucks to get what you want.

My mom taught me that lesson when I was little, when she was working three jobs but still making time to do something really special every month, like taking me to see Nureyev dance or sharing a meal at a fancy restaurant. She still goes on and on about the importance of exposing kids to culture and new things and though I like to roll my eyes, I know she's right.

We never had extra cash for buying clothes. My school wardrobe usually consisted of things my grandmother bought for me while I was visiting New Jersey in the summertime. She never could figure out why I didn't want to buy corduroys! Aside from the charming vip-vip sound my always chunky thighs made, no one in Hawaii EVER wore cords. Or socks, for that matter. I had a totally weird east coast preppy look for years until I started thrift shopping in junior high. Then I was just plain weird…

Anyway, Guess jeans and Esprit coordinates were not typically in our budget. Neither was formalwear, which was not a big deal until I was asked to a prom. I ended up finding a really gorgeous '30s black satin floor-length gown at a vintage shop but I had no suitable shoes. My thrift store stilettos sort of cheesed out the look. My mom was pretty appalled that I was going to wear a second-hand dress but she did offer to take me to Ala Moana to look for shoes. I was assuming I would end up with dyed-to-match satin pumps but my mom took me to Carol & Mary and bought me my very first pair of designer shoes. Colorblocked red and black slingback kitten heels by Yves Saint Laurent. They cost $145 but mom assured me they were timeless.

Almost thirty years later and I have to agree, they've aged well. It's hard to admit I'm old enough to see things come back into style but these actually look pretty current for Fall 2012. And maybe they'll work when Roo gets asked to prom. Some splurges are worth it.

What have you splurged on?

Share your Live a Little suggestions with the Skimbaco every Monday by adding the link to your Live a Little blog post in the InLinkz widget below. Rules: Link either to Skimbacolifestyle.com OR grab the InLinkz code for your blog post – or do both! If you post the widget in your blog post, please add the rules as well.

Chica: The Perfect Summer Tote by Cuddly Monkey

Summertime involves an awful lot of schlepping. From sleepovers to beach trips to picnics, it feels like I am always packing stuff up and moving it from place to place. Summer demands a very specific tote bag. One that can accommodate all the kids' stuff plus your necessities without making you feel like a pack mule. Big enough to haul all your junk but not so big that you look like Santa Claus, or a bank robber, when carrying it. Cute enough to keep you from feeling like a total bag lady. 

Ladies and gentlemen, I believe I have finally found the perfect tote. Introducing the Chica from Cuddly Monkey. I chose the red, even though it's available in black, too. It makes me happy!

See that zipper pocket on the outside? Perfect for anything you want to keep separated from the bulk of the gear you're hauling: your wallet, keys, phone, etc. And the graphic black and white print of what I like to think of as "stuffing suggestions" is pretty adorable, too:

But what about hauling capacity? You can stuff a LOT of crap into the Chica. It's roomy enough to stow supplies for a day at the pool, including two ginormous beach towels, plus extra clothes for both of my kids to spend the night at grandma's.

Even when overstuffed, the Chica fits neatly over your shoulder and against the body. Roo demonstrates this below, although I have to admit she usually suckers me into carrying it.

If you're not convinced of the Chica's stylish appeal, consider this: Jessica Alba rocks one. Being a mom herself, I am sure she knows the value of a good summer tote!

For more information on Cuddly Monkey bags, visit www.cuddlymonkey.com or find them on Twitter or Facebook.

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received the bag shown above to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided. All opinions are, as usual, entirely my own.

Stonyfield Frozen Decathlon - Oikos Peach Mango

In true Olympic spirit, today marks the opening day of the Stonyfield Frozen Decathlon with two new flavors of Oikos Frozen Yogurt –Peach Mango and Super Fruits– battling it out for the gold. I am leading the charge for Team Peach Mango in the 100 Meters and I hope you will vote with me! If I get the most votes over the next three days, I will win 50 free Frozen Oikos coupons to share with my readers. Hey, that's YOU! 

You can vote daily for either flavor throughout the whole Decathlon but I would appreciate it if you voted for my team, Peach Mango Frozen Oikos, over the next few days so I can do a big giveaway for y'all!


As an added bonus, the first 5000 voters will each receive a coupon for $1 off a pint of Frozen Oikos. And each daily vote gets you an additional chance at winning the public grand prize: a $500.00 gift certificate to Patagonia and one year of free Stonyfield Oikos Organic Frozen Yogurt. Not too shabby, right? Did I mention you can vote every day?

Vote Peach Mango! 

Leave a comment below and let me know which flavor you're rooting for. Peach Mango?


In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received coupons for Frozen Oikos to facilitate this post and I will be entered to win a gift card and more coupons. No other compensation was provided. I have to admit that SuperFruits is a pretty darned good flavor, too, although I do prefer Peach Mango. All opinions are, as usual, entirely my own.

Wordless Wednesday - Kittens

Share your own pictures this week at Wordless Wednesday HQ!

Before you leave, have you entered all of my giveaways?

Easy Summer Gazpacho with Pomi

We didn't plant a garden this year. It's been so hot that even the trees in our yard are looking sunburned. The usually hardy and spreading basil plants are drying as they grow. The thing that depresses me most is not having fresh tomatoes to pick for suppertime. 

I received a big box of Pomi products just as I was bemoaning my tomato-lessness. I'd never tried the brand before and was anxious to see how the paperboard containers did with keeping them fresh tasting. The cartons are aseptic and BPA free, plus they're made from 75% renewable resources and are also recyclable in many areas. Oh, they also stack really well in the pantry. I put the Pomi Chopped Tomatoes to the ultimate summer taste test: Gazpacho!

 I love the way the veggies look in the blender. So colorful. One of my favorite movies of all time, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, has a fabulous blender gazpacho sequence. I decided against adding copious pills to mine, as they did in the movie, and opted instead for extra garlic because I like a spicy gazpacho. After I blended it, I added a dollop of Greek yogurt instead of the sour cream suggested.

It was definitely prettier before stirring the yogurt in…

I was impressed- there was no way to tell this gazpacho was not made with fresh tomatoes. It was delicious and refreshing. Perhaps that is why esteemed chefs and organizations such as the Viking Cooking School keep Pomi products on hand. Their tomatoes are packaged without preservatives or additives, hours after they are picked. It's a convenient way to have "fresh" tomatoes at your disposal for any kind of dish. These will definitely become pantry staples in our household.

There are many recipes to try on Pomi's website. Here is the one I used for the gazpacho, although I used an entire head of garlic. CAUTION: don't breathe on anyone after eating!

Pomi – Summer Gazpacho Recipe

This is a wonderfully refreshing soup for those hot summer days. Filled with fresh, exciting

flavors, chunky bits of garden vegetables, its more than a healthy soup, it’s a refreshing touch of

coolness. Serve it alone of as a great starter. Either way, it’s the perfect way to make the most

of summer and the great taste of Pomi Tomatoes.

Ingredients

• 2 medium sized cucumber

• 2 red bell peppers

• 26 oz container Pomi Chopped Tomatoes

• 1 red onion

• 2 – 3 garlic cloves – minced

• 1/2 teaspoon basil

• 1/4 cup champagne or white wine vinegar

• 1/4 cup good olive oil

• 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt

• 1 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

Halve, seed and roughly chop the cucumber, but leave the peel on for the green color. Core,

seed and roughly chop the bell peppers and the onions chopped into a rough dice. Put all the

vegetables with the garlic, basil and a 26 oz container of Pomi Chopped Tomatoes into a food

process and pulse until it is chopped, but has plenty of texture to it. Do not over process the

vegetables.

Add the vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well and chill before serving.

We love to leave our in the refrigerator overnight to let the flavors develop.

Serve with a spoonful of sour cream or ricotta floating in the middle.

Like Pomi on Facebook

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that we received the Pomi products pictured in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided. All opinions are, as usual, entirely my own.

LEGO Summer Brickation - Come Build With Us

The only thing I don't like about LEGO is stepping on them. Other than that, the little plastic bricks give me an instant desire to build something. Anything. I think that's what separates them from other toys- LEGOs can be anything you want them to be, with a little work. They're fun for everybody in the family. Except for when you step on one in the middle of the night, of course…

This Summer, LEGO fans (and really, who isn't a LEGO fan?) will have the opportunity to experience some of the excitement of LEGOLAND theme parks and home block kits on a whole new level, with games and challenges, building activities and life-sized LEGO models. The LEGO Summer Brickation offers a chance is happening in four locations across the USA this season: Myrtle Beach, SC, Lake Tahoe, CA Traverse City, MI and Branson, MO. The latter is only a five hour drive from us, woo-hoo!

photo courtesy of Branson Landing, via Branson Tri-Lakes News

Come Build With Us!

LEGO Summer Brickation

July 25th – September 4th 

Branson Landing

100 Branson Landing Blvd.

Branson, MO 65616

Win a LEGO Summer Brickation pack including a pirate hat, magazine and a packet of Bricks to Click (10 blocks) by using the form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that this article was written as part of a compensated GigCoin campaign. We also received a LEGO pack featuring pirate hats, 10-block Bricks to click packs and magazines. All opinions are, as usual, entirely my own.

Live A Little - High Tea (No Boys Allowed!)

I didn't watch the royal wedding and I'm not all that crazy about dressing up but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to host a High Tea with funny hats while all of our relatives were in town for the 4th of July. What better way to spend time with a houseful of girls?!

The girls had a blast being silly and trying on my mom's formalwear and high heels and Roo's cousins instructed her in the fine art of glittery makeup. And we cracked each other up with the fascinator hats and opera ball masks. No boys allowed!

We received the tea set and party supplies courtesy of MomSelect as part of their MommyParties program. Also several boxes of Cadbury Ice Cream Bars in different flavors. (My personal favorite was the Chocolate Almond but Roo preferred the Double Chocolate.) In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that we received the hats, tea set and ice cream bars shown to facilitate this review. No compensation was provided and all opinions are, as usual, entirely my own.

I think we're going to have to make this a regular event at our family reunions- kick all the boys out (admittedly not hard to do when there are golf courses around) and have a tea party. I might have to adapt it to regular girlfriend get-togethers, too. Make everyone wear something ridiculous. It definitely lightens the mood!

Share your Live a Little suggestions with the Skimbaco every Monday by adding the link to your Live a Little blog post in the InLinkz widget below. Rules: Link either to Skimbacolifestyle.com OR grab the InLinkz code for your blog post – or do both! If you post the widget in your blog post, please add the rules as well.